A week of poetry begins today at Sunlight.

by Stephanie Wildman

When sadness calls, I nod with recognition.
On the yoga mat, I practice a prayer twist
to comfort my heart. Lunge with my right leg
forward, stretch my arms skyward and slowly
bring my palms together in front of my chest.

Thumbs rest on my breastbone as I struggle
to balance, twisting to my right, breathing
slowly until I release to mirror these movements
on the second side. Now the left leg is forward
as I stretch again, repeating my prayer gesture
and turning. My heart still burns. Is it breaking?

I breathe into the sadness and exhale,
rising to shaking arms and legs.
Sometimes the sadness departs,
having said its piece, leaving me
to choose happiness.

Image by 피어나네 from Pixabay